English manager Emma Hayes makes Team USA captain cry after leading them to Olympic gold as star says ‘what the hell’

EMMA HAYES made her Team USA captain cry after leading the team to Olympic gold.

Lindsey Horan broke down in tears during the post-match press conference after USA beat Brazil 1-0.

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Her manager Hayes heaped praise on the Lyon Women’s star, describing the forward as a “pleasure to work with”.

Hayes said of her skipper: “This leader beside me, you don’t see all the work she does off the pitch, you don’t see all the conversations she has, whether it’s to help nurture a young player or whether it’s to settle nerves or to remind people of their confidence.

“She has put performance first, she has put winning first, and yes we’re at an Olympics but not at any point on our days off did we do unnecessary things or do things that put the team’s performance at jeopardy.

“She took hard decisions with the players and I really admire that in her, I can see not only why she is the leader of this team but she made my job so much easier because she was firm with everyone but also very fair.

“I’m delighted for Lindsey because she deserves that and doesn’t always get the credit she deserves, and it’s been an honour for me to work with her.”

Horan, 33, began tearing up at Hayes’ words and after her manager finished she replied saying: “What the hell?” before laughing.

Hayes then put her arm across her captain’s shoulder and re-assured Horan saying: “I mean that, you know I mean that.”

Horan then wiped away her tears before telling reporters: “Don’t ask me any more questions.”

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Hayes has only been managing USWNT for two months with her first game in charge against South Korea on June 1.

She has hit the ground running, winning nine of her ten games and leading USA to their first gold since London 2012.

Hayes left Chelsea Women at the end of last season to take the job at Team USA.

She spent 12 years managing the Blues and led the club to seven WSL titles and won the FA Cup five times.

Hayes also won the League Cup twice and led Chelsea to the 2021 Champions League final, which they lost to Barcelona.